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Auburn's nine commits turn focus to recruiting other top prospects

St. Paul's linebacker Tre Williams is joined by his uncle, Terrence Vaughn, and his mother, Charleste Vaugh, after he announces his commitment to play football at Auburn during a ceremony Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at St. Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile, Ala.. (Mike Brantley/mbrantley@al.com)

AUBURN, Alabama -- Now that the foundation of Auburn's 2014 recruiting class is set, the Tigers' commitments are turning their attention to bringing in more prospects, a big part of any school's recruiting efforts.

Auburn has built some momentum on the recruiting trail, and the commits that got the ball rolling want to see that momentum continue.

"Me, (Joshua) Casher, Deshaun (Davis) and Justin (Thornton), we're going to expand our recruiting and get those other players in," St. Paul's linebacker Tre Williams said. "I think we're doing a pretty good job. We're trying to make this better than they were last year, and I think we're going to make it."

Williams, who made plans to stay in contact with several fellow recruits, spent the bulk of his time talking to Oxford, Ala. running back Racean Thomas, a five-star prospect who is one of the state's most highly-sought prospects.

For a few of his other Mobile teammates, the key was beginning to build relationships with other recruits, a task that can sometimes be difficult in the whirlwind of a normal recruiting visit.

"My role today was just getting to know a lot of people," Thornton said. "I have a home now, and I'm trying to make the most of it."

Chris Laye, a tight end from Suwanee, Ga., entered the weekend as Auburn's only commit from the state of Georgia, a fact the big 6-foot-6 recruit aimed to change before the end of the weekend.

"I had (four-star running back) Nick Chubb, Nick Ruffin and (four-star safety) Cortez McDowell in my group," Laye said. "All Georgia boys, spent the whole day with them. I think it went really well. I think we're going to have some commits coming up soon, and I'm looking forward to them joining the family."

Laye's work paid off with Ruffin, who finished off his Big Cat weekend by committing to the Tigers.

And now that Ruffin's in the fold, the Tigers' newest commit has already started thinking about recruiting other Auburn prospects, including McDowell, Chubb and safety/hybrid Gerri Green.

"There's a couple of guys who I want with me," Ruffin said. "Hopefully we'll be able to bring them on board."

After the two Saturday commitments, Auburn's 2014 class is rated ninth by 247Sports.com and Scout.com, and Rivals.com ranks the Tigers eleventh.

Williams and the rest of Auburn's class want the Tigers to keep moving up the board.

"A lot of these guys told me they're going to come back on visits," Williams said. "I think we'll have a great feeling on some more commits."